Also Smollett just seems kind of unhinged from what I can tell. Like maybe was he drunk and did it for a little attention and then it just got out of hand? It seems like the kind of thing a not very bright person does. It's not that cunning or well thought out to be from the mind of an egomaniac with a Jesus complex.

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Doubt it he was drunk, even if he tries to blame addiction or mental "issues" (I expect rehab in 1, 2, 3...)

He allegedly orchestrated the letter. Allegedly approached the two brothers. Had them buy ski-masks, MAGA hats, nose etc. Arranged a place and time to meet.

I just think he's very bright, like a lot of actors, to be able to stage this hoax even remotely well or understood that sending that threatening letter would put it on federal level. He should've taken some notes from Queen Jill...

Btw, is anyone still watching Empire? Is it any good these days? I think I quit early season 3.

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That's when I started enjoying it again after being disappointed by the sophomore year. Other than Demi Moore's dreadful "Misery" storyline, I've mostly loved the past 3 seasons of EMPIRE. I'm glad it's still FOX's #1 rated show.

I never really cared for Jamal, so I don't really give a flying fig if he gets killed off. As long as they keep that sexy Andre on the show. I also love the new bastard son. He should take Jamal's place in the regular cast.

I never really cared for Jamal, so I don't really give a flying fig if he gets killed off. As long as they keep that sexy Andre on the show. I also love the new bastard son. He should take Jamal's place in the regular cast.

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Alternatively, they could just have Jamal return to London to work on his record label that he supposedly did during the two year time jump only to be never mentioned again aka the Amanda #2 treatment.

Alternatively, they could just have Jamal return to London to work on his record label that he supposedly did during the two year time jump only to be never mentioned again aka the Amanda #2 treatment.

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I like that. EMPIRE is the hip-hop DYNASTY after all. And in case they want to retain the character, how about the Amanda #1 treatment? Cellini him! Recast the role with an actor who bares passing resemblance (preferably with a British accent they can always say he developed across the pond) without bothering to explain how his face changed.

And then in a couple of seasons when Smollett comes out of jail having served half his sentence and taken hundreds of hours of community service, rehab, mental counseling, etc. he makes a glorious return begging the American public on "Good Morning America" to forgive him & EMPIRE producers give him a second chance by Al Corley-ing Jamal.

Empire actor Jussie Smollett staged the Jan. 29 assault hoax because he was “dissatisfied with his salary” and to promote his career, according to Chicago Supt. Eddie Johnson.

That startling assertion came during this morning’s Chicago Police press conference on the Smullett’s arrest.

The Empire actor, Johnson said, “took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.” Johnson called the alleged hoax “shameful.”

Johnson, who is African American, said he was offended and angry by Smollett’s actions. In particular, Johnson said that the use of a noose “to further his own public profile” was a “slap in the face” to everyone in Chicago, a city that “embraced” Smollett.

Johnson said the scratches and bruises on Smollett’s face were “self-inflicted.”

In the wake of #MeToo, a precedent was set where women, gays, and minorities are always considered truthful when accusing someone of abuse. Straight white guys, on the other hand, are liars by default. And if they're straight white guys in MAGA hats, then they deserve nothing less than the electric chair. However, the people outside of the SJW community have warned against throwing out due process and assuming the alleged victims are always telling the truth. As we've seen with Smollett, narcissists will play the victim for their own selfish reasons, thinking nobody will question the veracity of their claims. I'm glad he's been arrested because they need to make an example out of him. When people fake attacks, particularly if they're considered part of a "protected" group, it hurts the real victims who come forward. Same goes for people who accuse people of racism, sexism, and homophobia disingenuously.

In Smollett's case, we're lucky that he wasn't bright enough to realize casting two Nigerian brothers in the part of the racist MAGA guys might not be in his best interest.

That's almost 1.2 million freaking dollars per year from EMPIRE alone!

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It says a lot about a person when the argument is put forward "I cannot live on 1.2 million a year." It proves to me how out of touch actors and celebrities can become...all for their 15 minutes of fame.

It says a lot about a person when the argument is put forward "I cannot live on 1.2 million a year." It proves to me how out of touch actors and celebrities can become...all for their 15 minutes of fame.

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Although being famous probably is expensive in itself.

Word is he went to the EMPIRE set today and said he "swears to God" that he's innocent. Apparently, not everybody appreciated his heartfelt sincerity.

I read an article today that basically dismissed the hoaxes perpetrated by Tawana Brawley and Jussie Smollett because they live in areas of "racial animosity." It also went on to say that white people made similar false claims against black people in 70% of racial hoaxes between 1987 and 1996. And while that's equally abhorrent, I don't see it as a valid defense of what Brawley and Smollett did. The point of the article seemed to be that, because blacks have often been mistreated by whites, it's okay for black people to retaliate. Of course, all that does is keep the racial divide going. There are better ways to address injustice than staging a hoax. Although in Smollett's case, it sounds like it was done purely for greed and selfishness.

I've never seen Empire but I think this could have been a great storyline for the show.

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Behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Jussie Smollett definitely eclipses the storylines they have currently running on-screen. Forget the show, I want to watch the reality show about the Empire cast shooting the show amid this crisis.

Apparently, they are divided into two camps - one that continues to support Jussie and the other that is furious with him and wants him instantly gone. So far, he's being written out of the final 2 episodes of the season. It does make me wonder, which cast members are in which camp.

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter contradicts the earlier HuffPost story and says he was actually making over $125,000 per episode this season ($2.3 million per year) and if he was dissatisfied with his income (which is almost triple now than what it was in season 1) his management never tried to negotiate a higher salary.

Which makes some now doubt that as a motive as his salary was already considered to be in the "upper echelons" on TV (unless he thought he could match Terence Howard & Taraji P. Henson's salaries which are in $225,000-$250,000 ballpark).

I don't think they should recast to be honest - they do have an avenue to introduce a Jamal-esque character via Lucious and Cookie's management company; they could even have said character living in the Lyon mansion.

Hell, someone suggested to Mario's character should just be upgraded into the Jamal position. I honestly don't think the show will survive beyond the seventh season, so it seems a bit of a waste of time to recast.

What a f-ing idiot!!!! I hope that all legit reports of homophobic and/or racist hate crimes in the future will not be diminished because of this idiot's plot.

We fight and fight against discrimination in this world, and along comes a few morons and add fuel to the racists, homophobic, sexist etc of the world so they can claim to be right.

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I understand your point but I think it's important to note that anyone who uses this as an example to support the idea that reported hate crimes should be diminished, or not believed, probably didn't care much for minorities in the first place and most likely never will.